Technical Report #168.
Beets, J., E. Brown, and A. Friedlander. February 2010.
Inventory of marine vertebrate species and fish-habitat utilization
patterns in coastal waters off four national parks in Hawai‘i

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ABSTRACT:
Marine vertebrates were investigated at four national parks in Hawai‘i
in 2005; Kalaupapa
National Historical Park (KALA) - island of Moloka‘i; Pu‘ukoholā Heiau
National Historic
Site (PUHE), Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park (KAHO), Pu‘uhonua
o
Hōnaunau National Historical Park (PUHO) - island of Hawai‘i. In
addition to an inventory
of marine vertebrate species, fish-habitat utilization patterns of
marine fishes were
examined within each park. A total of 178 marine fish species were
observed in the marine
waters adjacent to all four parks, including 48 endemic species (27% of
the total). Although
the greatest number of marine fish species was observed for KAHO, the
greatest density
and biomass of marine fishes were observed at KALA. The highest average
values per
sample for assemblage characteristics (species richness, density,
biomass, diversity) were
observed for KALA which is characterized by large (up to three meters in
diameter)
volcanic rock boulders with high habitat complexity and low (<10%) coral
cover. PUHO
and KAHO had sequentially lower fish assemblage characteristic values
and the habitat
consisted of smaller volcanic rock boulders with higher coral cover.
PUHE had the lowest
assemblage characteristic values observed and most dissimilar species
composition, due to
a greater proportion of sand and degraded habitats. KAHO and PUHO had
the most similar
species compositions observed. Marine turtles, particularly the
threatened green sea turtle
(Chelonia mydas), were commonly observed in KAHO and PUHO, and
also observed in
KALA. Dolphins and whales were commonly observed in park and adjacent
waters. The
endangered Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) was
documented at KALA and
has been observed at the other three parks.